By Brittany Bell

Since she can remember, it has been contributing writer Brittany Bell's dream to work at Walt Disney World. She recalls being just eight or nine years old telling Cast Members that she wanted to do the Disney College Program and become an Imagineer. Well, in January 2018, her dream will finally come true, as she will be participating in the 2018 Spring Advantage Disney College Program. Brittany will be documenting her journey with the Walt Disney Company through a series of articles here on Disney Avenue by sharing her adventures, challenges, and successes as she navigate through this unique program. Brittany wants these articles to be a fun read, while also being informative for those who, like her, want to participate in the Disney College Program one day. Join us as we begin her journey with the exciting application process…

By Brittany Bell

If you were a child of the 90s then consider yourself lucky. This was the prime age for watching children’s television when Disney cartoon shows reached what many believe to be their peak. The Disney Afternoon began as a television programming block and brought some of the most iconic and popular Disney cartoons to date. Though all of the shows that aired during The Disney Afternoon had wrapped at the turn of the century, the shows that aired pack a Disney nostalgia punch reminiscent of the Renaissance-era films of the same era. Join us today as we remember The Disney Afternoon…

By Brittany Bell

Pixar is perhaps one of the greatest animation studios and storytellers of contemporary film. Their animated tales resonate with audiences and always ask “what if?” Which leads to the topic of today's article: what if Pixar cancelled a film? That question can be answered with the story of Newt, Pixar’s only cancelled film project to date. Learn the story behind why Pixar's Newt was cancelled and see what the film would have looked like if it had reached theaters in today's new article…

By Brittany Bell

When guests are taking a walk down the crowded streets of Frontierland, they are transported back to a simpler time of the American West when cowboys and outlaws ruled the streets. Big Thunder Mountain and Splash Mountain reign as the kings of the land, towering over the frontier streets. However, this land was originally slated to be much different than it is now. Join us today as we look at what was planned for the Magic Kingdom's Frontierland and the never-realized but absolutely remarkable Thunder Mesa and the Western River Expedition...

By Brittany Bell

Disney animated films are of the most beloved to ever grace the silver screen. The long line of these feature films dates all the way back to the 1930s when the young animator Walt Disney decided to take a leap of faith; he wanted to create a full-length, full-color animated film. Critics dubbed the film “Disney’s Folly”, for they doubted that anyone would want to see Walt’s film and that Disney had produced a flop. Audiences today now know that film as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the film that launched Walt and the Disney Studios into the realm of superior animated movies. Join us today and discover how Walt’s dream of making Snow White came to be a reality…

By Brittany Bell

Disneyland and Walt Disney World are a place of magic, enchantment and wonder. Their attractions inspire generations new and old, utilizing technologies that even the smartest of visitors can find astonishing. Perhaps one of the biggest technological (and imaginative) breakthroughs for Disney came from the 1964-65 World’s Fair, which gave birth to classic Disney attractions such as “it’s a small world” and The Carousel of Progress. From the first human audio-animatronic to a gathering of nations, join us today and discover why the 1964-65 World’s Fair was so important to Walt Disney and the future of the Disney Parks…

By Brittany Bell

Animal Kingdom is irrefutably one of the most creative and unique Disney theme parks ever created. It’s immersiveness truly brings guests to a far-away land, one of adventure, mystery, and mystique. And, with Pandora opening this year, Animal Kingdom is about to get a whole new level of inspiring and educational entertainment. Interestingly enough, behind the complex theme park that is Disney’s Animal Kingdom is an equally amusing story about how the Park came to fruition. Joe Rohde, one of Disney’s top Imagineers and the man behind Animal Kingdom, had to put his imagination to the test when he pitched the idea of an “animal park” to the former Walt Disney Company CEO Michael Eisner. Learn the amazing story of how Animal Kingdom got the green light in today's new article…

By Brittany Bell

Walter Elias Disney was an innovator. He made his dreams become a reality, and sought to bring new entertainment experiences to the world. He also strived to create a better, more connected world, an idea which he materialized in his plans for E.P.C.O.T.: the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow. If one were to visit Epcot today, some of Walt’s original ideas still are alive and well. In addition, one quick ride on the Magic Kingdom's PeopleMover will give guests a glimpse at Walt’s model for his groundbreaking idea for the future of our cities—a model that is only a fraction of his entire dream. However, Walt’s untimely death halted, and almost lost, all plans for his EPCOT City, with the idea only coming back to the table in the late 70s when construction on EPCOT Center began. With all of the new ideas and innovation planned for EPCOT City, one can’t help but wonder what the world would look like today if Walt had lived another ten or twenty years. Join us in today's new article as we journey into a dream of the future: one in which Walt Disney’s E.P.C.O.T. became a reality and the effects it would have on our world today…

By Brittany Bell

With recent news about new Muppets attractions at Walt Disney World, it’s safe to say the franchise is getting a revival at the Disney theme parks. Though they have had a presence in the Parks since the opening of Muppet*Vision 3D at the then-named Disney’s MGM-Studios in 1991, the rebirth of the TV show, along with new Muppets movies, makes it safe to say that the silly and whimsical group is ready to make a mark on the Parks once again. However, these characters were not always a part of Disney; in fact, they date all the way back to 1955, when creator Jim Henson was still a college student at the University of Maryland. The rich history of these now-beloved characters is where our journey takes us today in this history of the Muppets…

By Brittany Bell

It’s no surprise that Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort are two completely different vacation destinations. Though they both may be owned by the Disney Company, and have similar layouts, themes, and goals, they also have very particular differences. Veterans to both Parks can point out some of those differences quite easily; all which give each resort its own identity and feel while also still living up to the Disney standard. Join us today as we discover what one Walt Disney World veteran thought about the Disneyland Resort upon her first visit out West...

By Brittany Bell

The Disneyland Resort is home to Walt’s original Disneyland park; it is also home to Disney’s newest park on U.S. soil: Disney California Adventure. Although Disneyland has been used as a model for sister parks across the world, there is much to be learned from Disney California Adventure as well. The Park, inspired by the state of California itself, brings together vastly different “worlds” and seamlessly ties them together in one wonderful adventure. On the East Coast, Epcot seemingly does the same thing—tying together various countries around the world, celebrating their cultural differences, while still bringing them together through their humanity. However, this newer park in California could teach a thing or two to what has evolved out of Walt’s idea for Progress City. Join us in today's new article and let's discover how Epcot can learn from Disney California Adventure…

By Brittany Bell

Much like the Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is a true Walt Disney World original that still possesses the charm of the early days of Disney since its opening in 1971. Intended to be an extension of Adventureland, the Polynesian Resort came during the end of the Tiki craze, where Pacific-island culture began to sweep across the United States. This resort, fondly referred to by many as simply the “Poly”, is still as romantic and relaxing as a Hawaiian getaway, with the perks of being a monorail resort. Now, let’s journey further into the history of Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, the second of the Magic Kingdom resort hotels…

By Brittany Bell

If you were a Disney fan in the 90s, odds are you get a bit nostalgic when talking about the Disney Decade. The 90s were an amazing time for Disney history and growth. The partnership of then CEO Michael Eisner and President Frank Wells included ambitious plans for the company with major additions to the Disney Parks and Resorts, new developments, celebrations, and attractions popping up everywhere. Want to relive the 90s and one of the most magical times in Disney history? Let’s take a step back in time and revisit the Disney Decade in today's new article…

By Brittany Bell

In 1969, when construction for the Walt Disney World Resort was well underway, Disney announced that it was going to build five “theme resorts”. As part of the “Phase One” of the new Florida Project, each of the hotels was to be themed as an extension of the Magic Kingdom park—once a guest steps out of the park and into their hotel, their immersive, fantasy experience continues. One of these planned hotels, inspired by Walt’s idea for his “Progress City”, became one of the most well-known Disney landmarks when it opened along with the Magic Kingdom on October 1, 1971: The Contemporary Resort. The timeless, retro-futuristic design of the resort still makes guests feel as if they are staying within the boundaries of Tomorrowland itself, with its unique A-frame design and monorail station running right through the center. Join us in today's new article as we discuss the construction and naming of The Contemporary, one of Disney’s classic resorts…

By Brittany Bell

Upon it’s opening in 1998, Disney's Animal Kingdom called for the park to be a “kingdom of animals... real, ancient and imagined: a kingdom ruled by lions, dinosaurs and dragons.” Before there was Avatarland, and even before there was Camp Minnie-Mickey, there were plans for an extraordinary and heavily themed area within the park that would fulfill this dream. This land, to be centered around the mythical creatures of folk lore and legend was to be grand, extravagant, and a completely immersive experience into an entirely new world…say hello to the Beastly Kingdom. Unfortunately, plans for this wonderful realm never materialized in Animal Kingdom, and are now found (more or less) in Universal Studios in Harry Potter Land. In today's new article, let's find out what this mysterious, yet magical, land would have looked like if Disney had built Beastly Kingdom...

By Brittany Bell

Since its announcement at the 2015 D23 Expo, the highly anticipated Star Wars Land has created a buzz around Disney Parks. At Walt Disney World, the land will be a part of the complete overhaul of Hollywood Studios. This fitting environment of movies and movie magic makes for a seamless introduction of the land into the new story of Hollywood Studios. Over on the West Coast at the Disneyland Resort, though, Star Wars Land is replacing the area formerly known as Big Thunder Ranch. In a park inspired by timeless representations of worlds of adventure and fantasy, guests and fans are left wondering how Star Wars Land will fit into the overall theme of Disneyland. However, the area in which Star Wars Land will soon call home was actually supposed to be Discovery Bay—a land inspired by invention and discovery. In today's article, let's see how the original plans for Discovery Bay, the new plans for Star Wars Land, and how, in this context, Star Wars Land makes a little more sense…

By Brittany Bell

In the 1980s and 90s Walt Disney World was booming. Now boasting 3 immensely popular theme parks and new hotels popping up on property, Disney World was achieving its goal of becoming an international tourist destination. However, over on the West Coast, Disneyland still sat almost the same as it had when Walt opened the park in 1955: one park with one hotel. Michael Eisner and Frank Wells had recently taken over the Walt Disney Company, and set their sights on developing Disneyland into a multi-day international destination much like its Florida counterpart. The idea that sprang from this: a California version of Walt’s vision of EPCOT: the (West Coast) Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow. However, with budget constraints and the recent failure of Euro Disneyland (now Disneyland Paris) and complaints from the surrounding community, the WestCOT plan was abandoned. Though it may not have become a reality, some of the ideas and themes from the planned park did make their way into the Disney parks around the world. Let's discover where some of the best ideas for WestCOT are alive and well today in the Disney Parks…

By Brittany Bell

I have another special treat for the readers of Disney Avenue. Many of you may recall the interview I did last week with a former Walt Disney World cast member which was a HUGE hit here on the site. Today we will keep that momentum going because we have a current Disneyland cast member joining us to share his magical stories of working at the happiest place on earth. In this second interview I conducted, I was lucky enough to talk with Disneyland employee Robert Pierce. Robert is currently a Day Custodial Lead for Disneyland Park after completing the Disneyland College Program in August 2014 to January 2015. Let's hear more about Robert’s duties in the parks, his experience in the college program, and his own personal take on how the spirit of Walt Disney lives on each and every day inside Disneyland…

By Brittany Bell

I was recently lucky enough to sit down and talk with former Walt Disney World Cast Member, Dan Burgess. Dan completed the Disney College Program in 2006, working primarily in the Magic Kingdom's Frontierland. It really is amazing to get a firsthand account at what it's like working for the Mouse. We all know that Disney's Cast Members are the ones that continue Walt's legacy and bring the magic to guests each and every day. Let's hear Dan’s personal account of his time at Walt Disney World in today's new article…

By Brittany Bell

Having delighted guests at Hollywood Studios since 1995, the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights is on its last season. Lighting up the Streets of America for the holiday season, this show truly is a spectacle that brings together families and friends. Each night a special guest flips the switch and brings light, magic and color to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. As the lights sparkle and music plays for one last time, let’s learn about how the Osborne family’s Christmas display made it to Walt Disney World all the way from Arkansas in today's new article…